Ethiopia opened a new dam on November 14 that will produce 300 MW of hydropower in hopes of becoming the first African country to export renewable energy. Government officials say the Horn of Africa nation will become a net power exporter within 10 years, exporting to Kenya, Sudan, and Djibouti.
The Tekeze Dam is now producing 80 MW and output is expected to rise to 300 MW, although it is unsure when it will reach full capacity. Standing at 185 meters, the dam is the tallest hydroelectric dam in Africa.
It is no surprise that the major financier behind this project is China National Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Corp. which invested about $356 million in the project. In September, Ethiopian officials agreed to deals with another two Chinese firms, China Gezhouba Group Company and Sinohydro Corporation, to build two huge hydropower projects. EEPCo has also signed a preliminary agreement with the Hydrochina company for the construction of two wind farms to be reserved for emergency power shortages.
Ethiopia has six other hydropower dam projects being built, some funded by the World Bank.